During this 2017 Lenten Season, on Sunday, March 26th, some fifty Sisters and Associates participated in a day of recollection at Résidence Sainte-Émélie. Two talks were presented on viewpoints that ‘fan the flame’ in keeping with the spirit of the Acts of the recent General Chapter. Time was given for silent reflection as well as for sharing in small groups. A Eucharistic celebration, held at the end of the morning, truly enhanced the day.
Sister Florence Vinet created a meditative atmosphere, and a climate of relaxation, attention and visualization to start off this thought-provoking day of recollection.
Being sensitive to the reality that surrounds us
Inspired by the Gospel, from the liturgy of the day, on the healing of the man born blind (John 9:1-41), Sister Jacqueline Boudreau facilitated the first part of the day using the theme "God is revealed only in the reality that surrounds us.”
She developed her three-point presentation so as to lead those present to:
1. Develop the art of attention
2. Allow themselves to be surprised
3. See the unseeable, an inner experience
Speaking of the art of attention, Sister Jacqueline noted that each one has a personal perception of what is real and of events. This perception may be of a "sensitive", "emotional", "intellectual" or "spiritual" nature, enabling people “to enter into the clear light."
Regarding the second point “to allow themselves to be surprised", she invited the participants to look at nature, the beauty of the world around us and to discover the various aspects of reality. She concluded her talk by stressing that "God beckons us through what is real and shows his face to us through our daily reality", hence the call to remain vigilant to see the unseeable.